Multiple electric capacitor



Jan. 5, 1954 Filed July 20, 1948 G. T. KCDAMA MULTIPLE ELECTRIC CAPACITOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l *WK/VT" s F 43].'- Q7 i f-- [B+ JNVENToR.

[3Q/fw Jan. 5, 1954 G, T` KODAMA 2,665,376

MULTIPLE ELECTRIC CAPACITOR Filed July 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. recrea-s 7." Kaon/A A Tra/enf l,

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 2,665,376 MULTIPLE ELECTRIC CAPACIT'OR George T. Kodama, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor t Herlec Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,783

( Cl. Z50-20) Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in components for electronic circuits and particularly toa multiple capacitor unit.

The demand for more compact electronic devices makes it desirable to combine a number of heretofore separate capacitors into a single unit to reduce the space requirements, to minimize the number of connections required in assembling the device and to reduce the possibilities of error 1n such assembly. However, such only be successful, if due attention is given to spatial arrangement of the capacitors so combined, or if some means is provided so that only Ipredetermined inter-capacitor capacitance is obtained. Where two or more single dielectric member with the plates in close proximity, it is impossible to avoid capacitance inter-coupling unless means are provided to shield at least some of such capacitors from one another.

It is, therefore, one vention to provide a component shielded from others of the capacitors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic circuit component in which a single piece of dielectric is employed to serve as a support for conductive coatings forming capacitor plates and conductive coatings so prevent and obtain capacitance inter-coupling between the plates of selected ones of the several capacitors.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and cheap shielded multi-capacitor unit is avoided by formthe dielectric interare provided with leads for connection in an electronic circuit, the leads being such that the entire unit may be supported thereby in any desired spatial relation to other circuit elements.

Two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one side of a multicapacitor circuit component according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of another side of the circuit component of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the plane of line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the plane of line IV-IV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the connections of the several capacitors and the shielding of Fig. 7 is a plan view of one side of a modified multi-capacitor circuit component according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the other side of the circuit component of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the plane of line IX-IX of Fig. '7.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View on the plane of line X-X of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of connections, similar to Fig. 5, of the several capacitors Fig. 12 is a diagram of a. portion of a battery or direct current energized radio receiver showing the application of the modied circuit component therein.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, i5 designates a rigid but light dielectric which .is represented as being a ceramic of high dielectric constant and of relatively small dimensions as now made, the actual length being o the order of one inch, the width being approximately onehalf inch and the thickness being approximately sse inch. A plurality of conductive coatings are supported on each side of the dielectric to co-act in orrning a plurality of capacitors, with the member i5 forming the dielectric for all of such capacitors and with the conductive coatings on the dielectric forming the capacitor plates.

Referring specifically to Fig. l, plate i6 covers a considerable area adjacent one end of the dielectric i5 and extends substantially from edge to edge on one side of the dielectric while another plate Il covers an area approximately three times that of plate l5 but adjacent the other end of the dielectric and likewise extends substantially from edge to edge.

Between plates IE and Il are placed a plurality of relatively narrow strip coatings connected in an h form with vertical bars i8, I9 and a crossbar 2i), bars irand l being spaced from the adjacent edge ci plate i6 and the adjacent edge of plate il by a distance determined by capacity requirements. The h defines a dielectric surface area of considerable size for a purpose explained hereinafter. Leads 23 and 2t are connected respectively to plates it and il and a lead 25 is connected with strip coating i8, i8, 2@ and to another coating to be described.

Plate il has a portion 25 extending from one edge for cof-action with another coating to be described, and a further plate 2S is located between the bars i3, i9 and below the cross-bar 2i) oi the h shield and has connected thereto a lead 3G.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be seen that plate 35 is cri-extensive with plate il except for the portion 28 of plate l?, and that plate 3E is co-extensive with plate IS. Plates and Se have connected thereto respectively the leads 3l and 38., Plates i6 and 3@ are thus paired to form one capacitor and plates il andri are paired to form another capacitor.

Another strip coating is placed between plates 35 and 3S in H form with Vertical bars 4i, l2 and a cross-bar 133. The H vertical bar di is so placed as to co-act with both h vertical bar I9 and the plate portion 28, and H vertical bar 42 is so placed as to co-act with h vertical bar i8, and l-l cross-bar 43 co-acts with a portion of plate 2Q. h bar it and H bar di are preferably connected by forming the coating around the edge of .the dielectric.

The leads are connected to the plates by solder indicated at t, and the solder preferably contains a sufcient quantity of the metal of which the coatings are formed, to avoid damaging such coatings during the soldering process. The various leads are individually connected to the Several plates as above described, except that lead 25 may also be connected by solder around the edge of dielectric l5 between h bar i9 and H bar lll as shown at in Fig. 3.

The entire component -rnay be coated with a thermosetting plastic i3 as shown in Fig. 3, if desired.

It will thus be seen that my new circuit component includes a rst capacitor with plates I6 and 35, a second capacitor with plates il and 35, a third capacitor including plate portion 28 and the portion of H vertical bar il coinciding therewith, and a fourth capacitor including a portion ofplate 2s and the portion of the i-i cross-bar 43 COF-Riding with the plate 29. Capacitor I6, 3@ is wholly separate, while the remaining capacitors are so inter-connected as to have some common leads, as is shown in Fig. 5. It will thus be seen that capacitor E6, 3S is shielded from coupling with any of the other capacitors, and that interelectrode capacitance is obtained between the plates so that only six leads are used for a total of four capacitors.

Fig. 6 shows the application of the new component to a typical A. C.D. C. operated radio receiver including a duodiode tiiode tube 5G and a pentode tube 5l. A transformer winding 52 is bridged by a separate capacitor 53, and the xed resistances 5t, 55 and 58 and variable resistor 5l complete the portions of the circuit to which the new component is applied. es shown the diodes of tube 5t are connected as rectiners for demodulating the modulated radio signals which are received. Resistor 5l acts as the output load of the demodulated output signals provided by the rectifier. A variable potentiometertype tap on this resistor supplies any desired portion of the rectifier output to the amplification stage operated with the triode section of tube 5D. The output of this amplification stage is coupled to the input of the pentode amplication stage operated with tube 5 l. The circuit is well known and need not be further described. It will be noted that capacitor 29-63 provides carrier frequency filtering from the demodulated signals supplied by the rectiiier, capacitor iii-36 couples the potentiometer tap to the triode amplier, capacitor il-35 couples the output of the triode amplifier to the input of the p-entode amplifier, and the capacitor 28e-fil is connected across the output of the triode amplifier as an additional` filter.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to l2, inclusive, dielectric S is similar to dielectric i5, but the arrangement of the various plates thereon and the shielding and intercapacitor coupling are diiierent from that in the preceding figures. A relatively small area plate Eil is formed adjacent one end of the dielectric and has opposed thereto, on the other side of the dielectric, a plate S2 of similar area to form a first capacitor. A materially larger plate G5 is formed adjacent the other end of the dielectric and is opposed by a similar plate Et to form a second capacitor.

A relatively large plate 69 covers the major portion of the area between plates ti, 65 on one side of the dielectric fili and such plate 59 is opposed by a similar plate lil between plates S2, $5 on the other side of the dielectric to form a third capacitor. rl`he edges of plates t9 and lo are relatively closely adjacent the edges of plates 65 and 66, so that a desired inter-electrode capacitance is obtained between capacitor plates 65, 65 and ground, as indicated in Fig. 1l at i3 and 14. Plates t@ and it substantially inclose dielectric surface areas of considerable size ex- -tending from one edge of the dielectric and in corresponding positions, and a plate it of relatively small area is formed substantially centrally in area Tl. Such plate it has an edge effect with plate 69, as though plate i9 co-acted with a separate plate (indicated in Figs. 1l and 12 as 69') to form a fourth capacitor even though only one plate is provided especially for such cacapitor.

Plates 6i, 62 are respectively connected with leads 8i, 82. Plates 65, 5t are severally connected with leads 83, dit. Plates E9, l are severally connected with leads t5, SE, and a lead 3l is connected with plate 19.

VBy reference to Fig. l1, it will be seen vthat capacitor 61,62, is shielded from capacitor v65, 66, bythe intervening capacitor 69, lil. `Plates E5 and 65 have edge effects respectively with plates ed and vlll and in reiliect form a capacitor indicated vas 73, l!! -in Figs. l1 vand 12. Plate I9 has edge effect vvith plate il@ and in effect forms a capacitor indicated as $8', '19, also in Figs. `1-1 and 12. It Will be seen from Fig. 1l that the seven capacitor electrodes are so interlinked capacitively, that-ve diicrcnt effective capacitors are provided.

VIn `the diagram of Fig. 12, the components similar to those shown in Fig. 6 lare designated by similar reference numerals and need not he here particularly described. However, being direct current powered, the present receiver employs a duodiode pentode tube v9c which includes B- or grounded terminal by Way of resistor 9E. The

` the several capacitors are dessuch ligure.

t will thus be seen that each embodiment of the invention provides a irst capacitor, namely, capacitors it, 36 and ci, E52 respectively, of which l plates are .similar in area and shape end of the dielectric and on opposite sides thereof in coinciding or sides of the dielectric, the area and shape, a .projection that does not coincide With plate`35.

In the rst embodiment of the invention a plupacitor plates and in part as grounded conductive coatings for shielding one of the capacitors against coupling \v' tors. In the second embodiment of the invention, three coating is placed with the edges of one of the said tvvo coatings adjacent the three sides of the third coating'.

tension the and coating bar third capacitor, plate 2S co-acts with coating is capacitively intercoupled so that only four terminals are required for the three capacitors of such group.

In the second embodiment, plates k59 vrand 'le form the third capacitor Aand deiine a dielectric reason-ofthe inter-coupling, only seven terminals are required for the ve capacitors.

As many apparently lWidely diierent embodiments of the invention may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to its specic embodiments except as dened in the-appended claims.

vI claim:

l. In a -rnuiti-capacitor unit for eectric circuits, a dielectric sheet, a plurality of conductive coatings on opposite sides of the dielectric to co-act in forming a plurality of electrically independent capacitors, interconnected conductive coatings formed on opposite sides of the dielectric intermediate the capacitors shielding the capacitors from each other, and an additional conductive coating positioned adjacent the intermediate coatingsand cooperating through said dielectric with one of intermediate coatings to for-In another capacitor.

2. In va multi-capacitor unit for electric circuits, a dielectric sheet having a high dielectric constant, a plurality of spaced conductive coatings on opposite sides of the dielectric and coacting through said dielectric in forming a iirst and second capacitor spaced from each other, conductive strips in h and H shape severallj7 torrned on opposite sides of the dielectric intermediate said irst and second capacitors and connected with each other to shield the rst and second condensers from each other, and a conductive coating on one side of the dielectric coacting with the interconnected strips in forming a third capacitor and positioned between parallel sections of one of said strips, the and H strips forming a shield between the third capacitor and the other capacitors.

3. In a radio receiver circuit having a rectifier stage connected v.for dernodulating signals and an amplication stage connected for amplifying the demodulated signals, the combination or" a potentiometerresistor connected as the output load for the demodulated signal output of the rectifier stage and having a ap for supplying a desired portion of this output to the arnplication stage, an integral multi-capacitor unit having a single dielectric sheet provided with a plurality of spaced electrically conductive coatings on its opposite faces, a iirst pair of said coatings providing a first capacitance, terminal means in `said circuit connecting said first capacitor across said rectifier output, a second pair of said coatings .providing a second capacitance, further terminal .means in said circuit connecting said second capacitor for coupling the dcincdulated signals vfrom the potentiometer tap` to the amplification stage, and a third pair f coatings spaced from the second pair and providing a third capacitance, and an additional terminal means in said circuit connecting said third capacitor as an output vcoupling for the output of the amplification stage, said rst pair of coatings being positioned between said secon-.fl pair and said third pair -as a shield decoupling the second and third capacitances from each other.

4. The combination as defined by claim 3 in which the shield is a grounded coating juxtaposed on vone side of said dielectric sheet adjacent a portion of one of said other pairs of coatings and providing an additional capacitance connected across the output of the amplication stage.

5. In a multi-capacitor unit for electric circuits, a high dielectric constant ceramic sheet of miniature size, a plurality of spaced conductive coatings on opposite sides of the dielectric co-acting to form two spaced electrically independent capacitors, a pair of intermediate conductive coatings formed on opposite sides of the dielectric between the said capacitors shielding the same from each other, andterminal means connected to each intermediate coating to provide an effective grounding connection, the said terminal means including a conductive coating extending across an edge of the dielectric and conductively interconnecting the said intermediate coatings together, and a single lead eX- tending from one of said intermediate coatings.

6. In a multi-capacitor unit for electric circuits, a high dielectric constant ceramic sheet of miniature size, a plurality of spaced conductive coatings on opposite sides of the dielectric coacting to form two spaced electrically independent capacitors, a pair of intermediate conductive coatings formed on opposite sides of the dielectric between the saidl capacitors shielding the same from each other, and terminal means connected to each intermediate coating to provide an effective grounding connection, one of said intermediate coatings being positioned to adjacently oppose one of said other coatings and capacitively connected through edge coupling therewith to provide a further capacitor, an additional coating on one side of said dielectric and opposing a portion of one said intermediate coating to form a still further capacitor through said dielectric, said terminal means including a single lead depending frorn each of said plurality of coatings and said additional coating, and lead means depending frorn said intermediate coatings so that there are only two less capacitors than there are leads on said unit.

7. The combination set forth in claim 5 including an additional conductive coating juxtaposed adjacent said shielding oonductors on one side of said dielectric to cooperate with a portion of said shielding conductors to form another capacitor.

8. The combination set forth in claim '7 in which one shield coating has a U-shaped portion and said additional coating is positioned within and shielded by said U-shaped portion of said shielding coating.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the intermediate coatings have substantially U-shaped portions, one of which substantially surrounds the said additional coating.

l0. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the said intermediate coatings substantially surround said additional coating,

ll. rihe combination set forth in claim 1 in which one of said plurality7 of coatings has an abutting portion overlying a portion of the said intermediate coating on the opposite side of the dielectric to form therewith a further capacitor.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 including a single lead extending from each of said plurality of coatings and said additional coating, and a single lead extending from said inter-connected coatings so that there are only two more leads than there are capacitors on said unit.

13. A multi-capacitor unit consisting of a min- `iature type thin dielectric sheet having a high dielectric constant, a plurality of conductive coatings deposited on opposite faces of said sheet, said plurality of coatings including a pair of opposed coatings of similar configuration deposited at each end of said dielectric on its opposing faces and an intermediate shielding coating having a portion of substantially U shape, a further conductive coating being deposited on one side of said dielectric intermediate said two end coatings and substantially encompassed by said U-shaped coating, said U-shaped coating being positioned adjacent one end coating to form therewith capacitive inter-coupling to produce a further capacitor, and terminal means connected with each of said coatings.

14. In a radio receiver circuit having a rectiiier stage connected for demodulating signals, and amplication stages connected for amplifying the demodulated signals, the combination of a potentiometer resistor connected as the output load for the demodulated signal output of the rectier stage, and having a tap for supplying a portion of that output to one amplication stage, said stage including an electron discharge tube having a screen grid electrode, an integral multicapacitor unit having a single dielectric sheet provided with a plurality of spaced conductive coatings on its opposite faces paired to form multiple capacitors, one end pair of said coatings providing a iirst capacitance terminal means connecting said first capacitor to couple the demodulated signals from the potentiometer tap to the amplification stage, a second end pair of coatings providing a second capacitance further terminal means connecting said second capacitor to couple the output of the said one amplification stage to a further amplification stage, said coatings further including an opposed pair of intermediate coatings forming a third capacitance, and additional terminal means connecting said third capacitance to said one amplification stage as a screen grid by-pass, said intermediate coatings being closely spaced to one of said pair of end coatings to produce capacitive edge coupling therebetween inherently connected as a filtering capacitor for the output of the said one amplication stage.

15. In a radio receiver circuit having a rectiiier stage connected for demodulating signals and an amplification stage connected for amplifying the demodulated signals, the combination of a potentiometer resistor connected as the output load for the demodulated signal output of the rectifier stage and having a tap for supplying a desired portion of this output to the amplification stage, an integral multi-capacitor unit having a single dielectric sheet provided with a plurality of spaced electrically conductive coatings on its opposite faces, a rst pair of said coatings providing a rst capacitor, terminal means in said circuit connecting said first capacitor for coupling the demodulated signals from the potentiometer to the amplification stage, a second pair of said plurality of coatings spaced from the first pair on said dielectric and providing a second capacitor terminal means in said circuit connecting said second capacitor as an output coupling for the output of the .amplification stage, and a third pair of coatings deposited on opposite sides of said dielectric intermediate said first two pairs as a shield barrier against capacitive coupling between said rst two pairs.

16. The combination of claim 15 in which a portion of said shield barrier is positioned opposite one coating of said two pairs and connected therewith through said dielectric to provide a further capacitor inherently connected across the output of the amplification stage.

17. A radio receiver circuit as set forth in claim 15 in which at last one of said third pair of coatings is connected to ground.

18. A multi-'capacitor unit consisting of a minthrough said dielectric sheet to form a third, a iature type thin dielectric sheet having a high fourth, and a fth capacitor, one of said interdielectric constant, a plurality of conductive mediate coatings being spaced from but substancoatings deposited on opposite faces of said sheet, tially encompassed 'by said second intermediate opposing faces and a central shielding' coating the said capacitors from intercoupling with each having a portion of substantially U-shape, at other when the same is grounded.

least one further conductive coating being deiu GEORGE T. KODAMA. posited on one side of said dielectric and substanmany encompassed by said u shaped coating. References Cited 1n the le of this patent 19. The combination set forth in claim 18 in UNITED STATES PATENTS which said one further conductive coating has an i effective capacitive edge coupling with said l5 bglgga Nd DecDtelgM shielding coating to produce an effective addi- 2474988 Sargrove Jul 5 1949 tional capacitance without requiring an addi- 2544508 Mackey Mag' 6 1951 tional lead therefor.

20. In a multi-capacitor unit for electric cir- FOREIGN PATENTS cuits, a dielectric sheet, a pair of spaced con- 20 Number Country Date ductive coatings on each side of the dielectric, 474,754 Great Britain N0V 5 1937 the respective opposing coatings being similar in area and shape, said coacting pairs forming OTHER REFERENCLS spaced first and second capacitors, respectively, Printed Vitreous Enamel Components: Bradthree additional conductive coatings formed on 25 ford et al. Electronics, for December 1947 (vol. said dielectric intermediate the rst and second 20,N0.12),pages106, 107, 198, capacitors and respectively cooperating together Tele-Tech, August 1947, pages 52, 53J 96, 97. 

